Protecting the environment
Protecting the environment section1
| Indicator | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions | |||
Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (scope 1)2 (figures in tCO2e) | 130,000 | 158,000 | 133,000 |
Indirect GHG emissions (scope 2)3 (figures in tCO2e) | 7,200 | 7,000 | 6,300 |
| Environmental benefits from FortisBC energy solutions | |||
GHG emissions saved from natural gas used for transportation4 (figures in tCO2e) | 45,000 | 37,100 | 36,400 |
GHG emissions saved from liquefied natural gas (LNG) used for marine bunkering (figures in tCO2e) | 17,000 | 34,200 | 38,800 |
GHG emissions saved from Renewable Natural Gas5 (figures in tCO2e) | 8,900 | 11,100 | 12,600 |
Reduction in criteria air contaminants (CAC) released to the environment through the use of LNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) by customers6 (figures in tonnes CAC) | 269 | 294 | 365 |
Lifetime energy saved from conservation and energy management programs7 (figures in tCO2e) | 334,000 | 483,000 | 493,000 |
| Class 3 spills8
| |||
Number of spills by FortisBC | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Number of spills by contractors | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Waste | |||
Amount of hazardous waste disposed of in accordance with regulatory requirements9 (figures in tonnes) | 270 | 217 | 249 |
| Penalties | |||
Number of environmental fines and penalties | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1 This summary table reports on sustainability data for FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) and FortisBC Inc. (FBC) (FEI and FBC collectively, FortisBC) as of December 31, 2020.
2 Scope 1 emissions, as defined under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, are direct emissions from owned or controlled sources. For 2020, this includes externally verified scope 1 GHG emissions as reported to the BC Ministry of Environment of 116,000 tCO2e and 5,200 tCO2e for FEI and LNG operations, respectively.
3 Scope 2 emissions, as defined under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity for own use. Not included is externally verified scope 3 GHG
emissions for FBC as reported to the BC Ministry of Environment in 2020 of approximately 38,000 tCO2e.
4 Value differs from the compliance credits as determined by the Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements Regulation
due to designated allowable limits as determined by the BC Government for the purposes of reporting under that regulation.
5 Renewable Natural Gas is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived
from biogas, which is produced from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create carbon neutral Renewable Natural Gas (also called biomethane).
6 The CAC value includes nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx) but excludes particulate matter. The formation of particulate matter is related to the concentration of NOx and SOx in the exhaust. Given the decrease in NOx
and SOx emissions for the use of natural gas versus diesel, a decrease in particulate matter is expected.
7 The lifetime energy saved is based on the net present value (NPV) estimates on energy savings from gas and electric programs
that commenced in the reporting year as published in FortisBC’s conservation and energy management filings to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) as well as lifecycle GHG emission factor for gas using models adopted by the BC Government.
8 A Class 3 spill is defined as an event that results in significant damage that includes large spills in waterways, spills that significantly exceed externally reportable thresholds, a regulatory non-compliance investigation by
regulator and/or a fire that may cause damage more than $100,000.
9 Hazardous waste as reported on the movement document/manifest form that is required for the movement of all hazardous waste by the BC Ministry of Environment
Hazardous Waste Regulation.
Forward-looking information
Certain statements contained in this report contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada (“forward-looking information”). The purpose of the forward-looking information is to provide management's expectations regarding results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. All forward looking information is given pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of applicable Canadian securities legislation.
The forward-looking information in this report includes, but is not limited to, FortisBC’s vision that efficiency and conservation will lead to lowered energy requirements and emissions, FortisBC’s plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, FortisBC’s plans to offer more conservation and efficiency incentives in the future; innovations and investments in biogas supply, carbon capture technology, low carbon vehicles and hydrogen blending into the natural gas system; the development of new markets, FortisBC’s relationship with Indigenous peoples; the diversity of FortisBC’s workforce and FortisBC’s safety practices.
The forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on assumptions developed using information currently available to the FortisBC’s management. Although FortisBC believes that the forward-looking statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. For additional information on risk factors that have the potential to affect FortisBC, reference should be made to FortisBC’s continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and to the heading "Business Risk Management" in the FortisBC’s annual and quarterly Management Discussion and Analysis. Except as required by law, FortisBC undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward looking information as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof.
All forward-looking information in this report and the information incorporated in this report by reference is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.
I acknowledge that I have been presented with a Forward Looking Statement associated with the 2020 Corporate and Sustainability Report.